Damian From Only Fools And Horses

Right, let’s talk about Damian Trotter. That cherubic little terror from Only Fools and Horses. You know the one—the kid who could bankrupt you with a single, innocent-looking nappy change. He’s arguably the most dangerous character in sitcom history, and he never even swore.

The Demon Toddler

Damian was born in 1981, and within minutes he was already costing his dad, Del Boy, a small fortune. The delivery alone set Del back a £60 taxi fare, and things only went downhill from there. By the time he was three, Damian had single-handedly destroyed Del’s dreams of a Rolex and a Caribbean retirement.

Here’s a surprising fact: the actor who played baby Damian, Grant Stevens, actually shared the role with six other babies. Imagine a rotating squad of tiny, cooing financial assassins. They were all paid in biscuits and the occasional colic burp.

Damian’s Costly Impact on Del’s Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

Let’s be honest: Del Boy’s business plans were always a bit dodgy. But Damian was the universe’s way of saying, “Nope, no profit for you.” Remember when Del invested in those “Swiss” alarm clocks? Damian flushed one down the toilet. Cha-ching goes the currency of childcare.

Another time, Del bought a job lot of Star Trek memorabilia. Damian, in a moment of pure chaos, used Captain Kirk’s communicator as a teething ring. It’s a miracle Del didn’t end up selling the boy to a circus. But here’s the twist: Damian’s expenses kept Del grounded. Without a child, Del might have actually become a millionaire—and then the show would have been boring.

The "Wonky Leg" and Other Legends

One of the most famous episodes involves Del trying to sell a cheap, wonky pram. He claimed it was for “leg development.” Damian, strapped inside, looked like a tiny astronaut being launched into a skip. That pram is now a piece of television history—it’s in the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. Yes, really. A broken, sideways stroller is a cultural artifact.

Only Fools And Horses' Damien Trotter star unrecognisable nearly 20

And let’s not forget the time Damian accidentally drank a can of Sterno, the camping fuel. Del’s panicked line—“He’s going to be a human firework!”—is pure gold. But, medically speaking, Sterno is actually non-toxic. So Damian was never in real danger. He just got a free buzz and a lifetime of excellent anecdotes.

Damian’s Secret Role: The Plot Device

Did you know Damian was originally supposed to be a girl? The writers changed it at the last minute. Why? Because “Damian” sounded more biblical and cursed. He was basically a walking MacGuffin—every scheme revolved around getting money to feed him, clothe him, or replace the things he broke.

And here’s a deep cut: in the making-of documentary, one of the baby actors actually bit David Jason (Del) on the nose during a take. That bite is still in the final cut. You can see Del’s genuine, shocked pain. It’s the only time Del Boy’s charm completely fails him—because a tiny tyrant just chomped his face.

Only Fools and Horses' Damien Trotter actor is urecognisable decades

Growing Up: From Toddler to Teen (Sort Of)

As the show went on, Damian aged from a baby to a toddler, but he never really spoke much. That’s because the writers realized he was funnier as a silent, destructive force of nature. Silence is golden when the golden is being used to buy another replacement microwave.

In later episodes, a teenage Damian appears (played by a different actor, Douglas Hodge). He’s suddenly a moody, guitar-playing teen who wears a leather jacket. It’s a massive leap, like finding out a hurricane turned into a hipster. The fans were confused, but hey—every family has that weird phase.

The Lasting Legacy of Damian Trotter

So why do we still talk about Damian? Because he’s the ultimate reality check. Del Boy could sell a haunted sofa to the Pope, but he couldn’t stop a toddler from eating a winning lottery ticket. Damian reminded us that even the smoothest operator gets outsmarted by a kid with a soggy diaper.

And let’s be real: if you grew up in the UK in the 80s, you were Damian. You broke stuff, you cost your parents money, and you were probably strapped into a wonky pram. He’s every parent’s nightmare, wrapped in a tiny, adorable, potential-fire-hazard package. Long live the demon toddler.